George W. Bush will speak by satellite tonight at the Republican National Convention tonight, as the GOP struggles to regain its partisan bearings after yesterday's opener, which was kept politics-free in deference to Americans hit by Hurricane Gustav. Bush and Dick Cheney had canceled their convention appearances, as Bush headed to Texas to be nearer relief efforts.
Actor and 2008 presidential hopeful Fred Thompson and Joe Lieberman, the Democrats' vice presidential candidate in 2000, will also speak today about McCain's biography and their friendship with him. Aides said McCain probably would deliver his acceptance speech in person as scheduled on Thursday. The decision on Bush's role appeared to rest well with the McCain campaign, which has tried to distance the White House hopeful from the unpopular president. (More George W. Bush stories.)